Need Help Figuring out Gear ratio
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Need Help Figuring out Gear ratio
I have a 1955 f350 with 5.83 ratio, the motor is the 223 inline 6. With this ratio it will only go about 40 to 45 mph max! My plan is to hotrod this motor, and by hotrod I mean different manifold so I can attach 3 carbs, alternator and such. More HP less MPG, would it be smarter to stay with this ratio so it can handle the more HP or should I swap out the gears or maybe even a whole rear end swap? This is my first truck that I want to rebuild and make a sweet ride out of, so I'm pretty new to all of this. I have found a couple ratios that were lower but not sure what to do since I am going to be upping the HP. I kind of babbled on in this thread I hope I made sense.
Pictures posted are from when I bought it.
Pictures posted are from when I bought it.
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 1,052
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Joe... quick and dirty... jack up the rear end... wheel chocks under front tires. mark the tires with a reference line... mark the rear u-joint. Either by yourself or with a friends help... one turns the wheel and counts the turns... the other watches for the number of turns on the driveshaft... 3 turns to 1 turn = 3.0 to 1 ... lots of places on the internet with this info
later
john
later
john
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
I think his question is what options does he have for a lower ratio?
First thing is, does the truck still have split rims, that would have been stock on that truck? If you post close-up pictures of the outer rear rims we can identify them for you. You can also search on "RH-5 Firestone rims" or "widowmaker rims".
The easiest way to get rid of them, and get safer rims, while getting a lower gear ratio, is to swap the rear end out for a more modern F350 axle, up to '72.
First thing is, does the truck still have split rims, that would have been stock on that truck? If you post close-up pictures of the outer rear rims we can identify them for you. You can also search on "RH-5 Firestone rims" or "widowmaker rims".
The easiest way to get rid of them, and get safer rims, while getting a lower gear ratio, is to swap the rear end out for a more modern F350 axle, up to '72.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 135
From: Houston
Please be aware that typical hot rod upgrades like bigger cam and more carburetors do nothing for power at low r.p.m. The 223 is a great engine, but it is small. Depending on how you plan to use your truck you could put a lot of effort into upgrades that do not work well together. For getter advice please tell us:
Do you plan to haul heavy stuff on the flatbed?
Do you plan to tow stuff heavier than small jet skies?
Do you plan on driving the truck daily?
Will you be going up and down hills much when you drive your truck?
How satisfied will you be with a 50 m.p.h. truck? A 55 m.p.h. truck? a 60 m.p.h. truck?
And Ross brings up what should be your first concern, safe wheels. Please make sure you have safe wheels before doing any other real work on the truck.
Welcome to FTE, thanks for starting with pictures.
Do you plan to haul heavy stuff on the flatbed?
Do you plan to tow stuff heavier than small jet skies?
Do you plan on driving the truck daily?
Will you be going up and down hills much when you drive your truck?
How satisfied will you be with a 50 m.p.h. truck? A 55 m.p.h. truck? a 60 m.p.h. truck?
And Ross brings up what should be your first concern, safe wheels. Please make sure you have safe wheels before doing any other real work on the truck.
Welcome to FTE, thanks for starting with pictures.
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